Page 140 of Vicious Little Snakes

Her brows rise, and a smile peeks out. “Looks like my niece was right about you.”

Great. Arden. As if this moment was already shit.

I swallow. “How is Arden?”

“Back into the kind of trouble she frequents. But before she left, Arden had plenty to say about you.”

I answer politely, keeping my cool, “Oh. I didn’t realize I made such a large impression.”

Considering we only threw daggers at each other for five minutes. Then again, I’m confident I drew blood.Fuck you, karma.

“You did. She told me that you’re the kind of girl to never follow the crowd because you prefer to set the standard.”

My surprise isn’t well hidden because this is one of the more shocking moments of my life.

“She said that?”

Mrs. Whitney smiles. “She did. She also said that if we passed on you, you’d be the kind of woman that would never forget. Especially when you sat on the top of this society’s social ladder looking down at the rest of us.”

Fucking Arden for the win.Maybe I’ll stop plotting her death.

“Well, she’s a very intuitive young woman. I always liked that about her.”

The chairwoman smiles, letting her eyes drift over my appearance. “My niece is fearless, it’s her downfall, but you—you scare her. That’s a powerful quality, Caroline.”

I’m silent, smiling politely, but internally I’m starting to freak out. Is she taking this where I think it’s going?

Her arms cross over her chest. “Society needs powerful women. Also, women that understand the dress code. Perhaps on your next outing, you’ll remember that you never know who you may run into.”

My head’s nodding. “Of course, Mrs. Whitney.”

Holy shit. Holy shit.

“After all, it’s rule number one for a debutante,” she adds with a coy smile.

Did she just say? No.

I let out the breath I’m holding, opening and closing my mouth twice before I speak, “I apologize. Did you just say, debutante?”

“Yes, Caroline. Your golden ticket arrived by courier today.”

It takes everything within me not to scream, keeping a pleasant, non-self-congratulatory smile on my face as I answer.I did it. I fucking did it.

“Thank you. I’m honored. I’m looking forward to the ball.”

“Glad to hear it.” Her entire demeanor relaxes. “Will you be accompanied by Mr. Grantham? Choosing the perfect escort is top on your list.” When my brows rise, she smiles. “We do our research, Caroline. A girl’s associations speak volumes about her character.”

Before I can answer, Liam’s voice accompanies his footsteps. My eyes grow wide, reality barreling its way back into this dream moment. I dart my head over my shoulder, seeing his face come around the corner, and his voice feels louder than I wish it was.

“Carebear, I’m going to get thrown back into jail. Forced to spend another night with pissed-his-pants Pete. Because I’m about to desecrate your fucking body in front of the pasta.”

My eyes squeeze closed as Liam skids to a stop, immediately shutting his mouth. Thank God he’s reading the room, but it’s not soon enough.

I turn back, smiling, hoping the chairwoman will politely disregard what Liam’s said, but the discerning look on her face says differently. She takes a step closer, leaning in so only I can hear.

“A word of advice, Miss Whitmore. This isn’t the finish line. I suggest keeping better company, immediately, because there is a long list of girls that would like to see you fall from my graces. And dating a criminal would do just that.”

I’m nodding as she walks away. Oh fuck. I feel like I can’t catch my breath. Liam’s hand touches my arm, making me jump as I turn around, seeing that she’s gone and we’re alone.